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Courier staff reportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

10:00 AM, Saturday, December 31 2016 | 2089 views | 0 | 37 | |

The Clarksville Panthers trailed 46-15 with 10:33 to go in the second half, but rallied and closed within four points of the Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs, who came away with a 73-67 win Friday in the Hoops 4 Hunger basketball tournament fifth-place game.

CAC (4-6) opened the game with a 17-4 lead and led 38-13 at halftime. Kam Vick's 3-pointer gave the Mustangs their 46-15 advantage.

But Clarksville (2-10) got back in the game courtesy of Trace Thomas, who netted 11 points in the second half. Colton Gregory's bucket with 1:12 left cut the CAC lead to eight points.

The Panthers got within four points on three free throws by Juan Hernandez after he was fouled attempted a 3-point shot with 14 seconds remaining. But CAC hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go to secure the victory.

Hernandez led the Panthers with 16 points. Mekhi Burnett had 15, and Thomas had 11. CAC was led by Vick with 17.

Clarksville will play Russellville in conference action on Tuesday at Cyclone Arena.